The Philippine President Ferdinand Rigs Jr. addressed a joint press conference in Delhi on Tuesday and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the role of India in saving the Philippine citizens after the Huti rebellious attack in 2024. He emphasized the importance of safe shipping and safety for Philippine sailors. He said that safe shipping and safety is especially important for Philippine sailors, who ride almost every ship on these historical and strategic sea routes. I thank the Indian public and the brave men and women of the Indian Navy once again to save our citizens after the Huti rebels attack in 2024.
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We accept India’s influence in the role of the first actor in this important field, and we want to work together for an independent and open Indo-Pacific region. He further said that both of us have a huge contribution in our Hind-Pacific region and future of the world. President Marcos announced the facility of visa-free admission for Indian tourists, while Prime Minister Modi also announced a similar plan for Filipino tourists. The two leaders also welcomed the resumption of direct flights between India and the Philippines from October 2025.
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In this regard, I reiterated the introduction of visa-free admission privileges and invited more Indian tourists to come to the Philippines. I thank Prime Minister Modi for starting a plan to provide a visa-free to the Filipino tourists coming to India. He said, “We welcome to resume direct flights from October this year and reiterate our commitment to maintain and increase such direct air connectivity.
The Philippines and India committed to deepen their strategic partnership, focusing on shared concerns such as maritime security, supply chain flexibility, food security and anti-terrorism. He said that sea lines of communication cross the Indian Ocean. Marine trade for the Far East and Pacific Ocean through the Indian Ocean has been the basis of our prosperity and the aspirations of our people for centuries. Marcos said the Philippines-India strategic partnership will continue to cooperate with shared concerns.